Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

APHRODITE'S CHILD

Greek pop trio formed '63: Demis Roussos, Evangelos Papathanassiou (b 15 June '47, Velos) and Lucas Sideras (b 5 Dec. '44, Athens). All came from musical families and played several instruments. Greece was more resistant to Anglo-US pop style at this time than any other country in Europe; on their way to London '68 they were signed to Philips by Pierre Sberre in Paris, who produced 'Rain And Tears'; the 17th-century German song sung in English was a massive hit in France, Italy, Turkey, made top ten in Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Lebanon; no. 30 UK; did not make Greek top 20; nothing in USA. Hits in southern Europe followed, incl. 'It's Five O'Clock' and 'Spring, Summer, Winter And Fall' (both '70). 666 two-disc album did well on the Continent but UK success eluded them. Split in mid-'70s; Roussos became successful solo crooner; Evangelos teamed with Jon Anderson (see Yes) as Jon and Vangelis: LPs Short Stories and Friends Of Mr Cairo '80--81; singles 'I Hear You Now' and 'I'll Find My Way Home' both made top ten. He then became composer of synthesized film music as Vangelis: theme single and soundtrack LP from Chariots Of Fire topped many charts '81 incl. USA. He was sued by EMI on behalf of Stavros Logarides over similarity of Chariot theme to latter's TV theme 'City Of Violets'; EMI lost '87. His other UK hit LPs incl. Heaven And Hell and Albedo 0.39 '76 on RCA, Soil Festivities and Mask '84--5, like Chariots on Polydor.